We’ve got remakes, book-to-film adaptations, long-awaited sequels and plenty of Oscar bait to look forward to.
Without further ado, here’s a round-up of the most anticipated movies and TV you won’t want to miss this year. Popcorn kernels at the ready!
Films To Watch In 2020
Little Women
“Women, they have minds, and they have souls, as well as just hearts.” Greta Gerwig’s refreshing literary adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s coming-of-age classic brings the March sisters to life like never before. Jo, Beth, Amy and Meg are a squad to be reckoned with and, despite the odds being stacked against them, they learn to live life on their own terms. Meryl Streep is as iconic as ever, Saoirse Ronan is a triumph. Prepare to weep.
Out: In Cinemas NOW
James Bond – No Time To Die
Bond fans, this is the year your patience finally pays off. Daniel Craig returns to play 007 for his fifth and final time, if the rumours are true, alongside series regulars Naomie Harris, Rory Kinnear, Ben Whishaw and Ralph Fiennes.
Out: April 8, 2020
Dolittle
From the producer of Alice In Wonderland and Maleficent comes the new screen adaptation Doolittle. Based on the children’s book by Hugh Lofting, Robert Downey Jr. takes up the mantle as the physician that can talk to animals and it’s set to be excellent viewing.
Out: February 7, 2020
Black Widow
Starring Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour and Rachel Weisz, it’s all power to the female in Marvel’s next era: Phase 4. With international spy and Avenger, Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow taking centre stage, we’re excited to finally find out a whole host of back-stories and revelations. Will Marvel fans get the closure they need? Time will tell.
Out: May 1, 2020
The Rhythm Section
If there’s a film with Jude Law in it, we’re there with bells on. A revenge thriller based on the Mark Burnell novel of the same name, The Rhythm Section follows the story of a plane crash survivor as she seeks to find the real truth behind the disaster that killed her family three years before. Expect Blake Lively as you’ve never seen her before.
Out: January 31, 2020
Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)
In the forthcoming Harley Quinn spin-off, Margot Robbie returns to her role alongside her all-female superhero gang as they come together to save a young girl (Cassandra Cain) from Gotham’s most narcissistic crime lord, Black Mask. As for Batman and co? They can eat dust. This is Harley Quinn’s time to shine.
Out: February 7, 2020
Legally Blonde 3
Our favourite lawyer is back with a third instalment just in time for Galentine’s Day celebrations. We don’t know any details about the plot or juicy courtroom deets but we know Reese Witherspoon will be there in all her bend and snap glory. Watch this space!
Out: February 14, 2020
Disney’s Mulan
A live-action version of Disney’s Mulan, what a time to be alive! Choosing our seats as we speak.
Out: March 27, 2020
Wonder Woman 1984
Gal Gadot returns to her role as the legendary Diana Prince /Wonder Woman in the second instalment (but definitely not a sequel, according to Patty Jenkins) of the superhero franchise. The action is set to take place in America, 70 years on from when the first film was set. There’s also a new villain in town with Kristen Wiig taking up the role as the shape-shifting felon, Cheetah. This is JUST the kind of girl / Gal power 2020 needs!
Out: June 5, 2020
Gretel & Hansel
Creepier than its previous adaptations, this modern version of the old Grimm fairy tale we all know is more than just breadcrumbs and gingerbread houses. Nothing says horror like a cannibalistic witch does it? We’ll be watching this one through our fingers.
Out: January 31, 2020
The Personal History of David Copperfield
Based on the cherished novel by Charles Dickens and starring Dev Patel as the iconic David Copperfield himself, this is the story of his life in Victorian England and his quest for family, friendship and romance. It’s already racked up 11 noms at the British Independent Film Awards including best actor for Patel.
Out: January 24, 2020
TV To Watch In 2020
Winter Love Island
Just when you thought January TV would pale in comparison to December’s all-you-can -watch buffet of The Holiday and Gavin and Stacey, ITV2 go and deliver a Winter Love Island. Okurrr!
Hosted by Laura Whitmore and narrated by the legendary Iain Stirling, the first Winter series has landed and this time round there’s twins, Rochelle Humes’ sister is in the villa and it’s relocated to South Africa. Cancelling all social plans for the next six weeks – our heads have officially been TURNED! We can’t wait to see how the series unfolds.
Currently on ITV2 at 9pm
Sex Education: Season 2
It’s official, the highly-anticipated TV series will be returning to Netflix for a second instalment of relatable high school drama. What can we expect? According to Netflix: “Otis must master his newly discovered sexual urges in order to progress with his girlfriend Ola whilst also dealing with his now strained relationship with Maeve. Meanwhile, Moordale Secondary is in the throes of a chlamydia outbreak, highlighting the need for better sex education at the school and new kids come to town who will challenge the status quo.” Couch potato mode: ON.
Expected: January 17, 2020
The Good Place Finale
We’re SO not ready to say goodbye to Eleanor Shellstrop and the gang but if Kristen Bell and Jameela Jamil’s hints are anything to go by, it’s going to be one beautiful but totes emosh ending Sniff
Expected: January 30, 2020
Killing Eve Season 3
After a banger of a season finale, the iconic duo that is Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh are back. Will Eve survive? What is Villanelle’s next move? We’re already way too invested in this and it hasn’t even started yet.
Expected: Spring 2020
Call The Midwife
Returning to our screens for its ninth series on BBC One, the much-loved cosy drama continues to reduce us to snotty tears with its emotional depth and compelling depiction of life, death and everything in between. We can’t think of a better bunch of characters we’d want to be stuck in the delivery room with.
Currently on BBC One
Normal People
Sally Rooney’s best-selling page-turner is heading to our TV screens in a gripping 12-part BBC drama this year and you bet we’re going to binge our way through it in one sitting.
Expected: Spring 2020
The Crown: Season 4
Things are about to get juicy in our favourite Royal epic. This season sounds like it’ll be the best yet with palace intruders, Thatcher feuds and Princess Diana’s much-anticipated debut. We’re on the edge of our seats already, ma’am.
Expected: Unconfirmed but expected to hit Netflix late 2020
Nine Perfect Strangers
Carrying on the book-to-film adaptations trend, Nine Perfect Strangers starring Nicole Kidman is hitting our screens this year. We read Liane Moriarty’s latest book in our Zoella Book Club but something tells us this series might make for marathon-worthy viewing. View our book club discussion here.
Expected: Late 2020
This Is Going To Hurt
Adam Kay’s best-selling memoir has been snapped up by the Beeb and boy are we glad about it. It sounds like the eight-part BBC2 series is set to be just as real and unvarnished but painfully funny as its paperback counterpart. In Kay’s own words, expect to “laugh, cry and vomit.”
Expected: TBD
Noughts and Crosses
First a dystopian YA novel by Malorie Blackman, now a six-part BBC series featuring none other than Stormzy himself. The rapper will be making a cameo appearance as newspaper editor Kolawale. What can we say? If Stormzy’s there, we are in there like swimwear tbh.
Expected: March 2020
